Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BAR SOAP SINK WALL HOLDER
The present invention relates to a wire type bar soap
holding device that is installed and positioned against the wall
of a sink. The holder is designed to cradle the bar soap with
minimum contact support area, which minimizes possible water that
can be trapped between the bar soap and contact points. Any
water picked up by the bar soap during usage, drains
automatically into the sink directly from its storage holder. A
bar soap during successive use can turn soft and soggy while
right in its stora~e holder or case, and the messy film must be
rinsed with water and allowed to air dry.
It has been a general practice that a bar soap is stored on
the moulded portion of the sink or in soap dishes. Although this
practice is generally accepted, there exist a paste on the base,
residue build-up caused by the liquid transferred, and hair
clinging on or around the bar soap, all makes it look unsanitary.
There have been many proposed designs to upgrade this problem,
but none have been too successful.
One design is Donald D. Hicks' wire suspension soap holder,
patent number 4775124 issued on October 4, 1988. This proposed
a bar soap device made of wire that supports the bar soap with
rod~. Each supporting member provides a pre-determined length of
support with a lower V shaped point of drainage. This disclosure
attaches to several base designs that are adaptable to various
sink models. Some are clipped to the edge of the -~ink with a V
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drip point position over the sink and another attaches by a
suction cup.
Another desi~n is by Arthur A. Ash Sr., which proposed a bar
~oap receptacle, patent number 4277-42 issued on July 7, 1981.
The receptacle is in the shape of a steeply-inclined chute that
extends over the edge of a ledqe and downwards into the sink.
The device has a pair of bar soap ~upportin~ rods that are placed
adjacent to the chute wall with each runq pair attached to the
end and used to prevent the bar soap from sliding down. The
supportinq rods have a bottom clearance to the chute wall of 1/2
inch to facilitate the draina~e of soap solution and to air dry
the bar ~oap quickly. The device is installed or qlued to the
ed~e of the sink.
The present invention is installed and positioned aqainst
the wall of a washroom sink usin~ an overflow attachment and/or
by a drain hole anchorage. The models consist of an overflow
attachment and a drain hole anchoraqe type. It is apparent to
mention that major washroom sinks are built by American Standard
and Crane, which have an overflow function structure on the apron
side and takes 80% of the application. Therefore, the overflow
attachment model is more emphasized and the drain hole anchoraae
model is applicable to the rest of the application.
Construction can be shaped from stainless wire or can be
extruded from special plastic materials for both models.
The overflow attachment model is constructed and ~haped from
stainless wire. A loop handle, open ended elliptical circle, is
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formed from the mid-point of a pre-determined length of wire with
each arm leading to a symmetrical pair of anchor clip like
fingers to form the front of the loop handle which function to
hold and anchor the unit by inserting into the sink overflow
slot. The free ends of the wire reach out of the slot and follow
down along the wall of the sink to serve as side rests for the
bar soap. The cradles are formed perpendicular to the sink wall
after the side rests. After the cradle supports are made each
wire arm is shaped into a quarter-circle formation which face in
the opposite direction to guard the bar soap from falling off the
holder. The end of each quarter-circle has a short straight
piece breaking downwards to prevent sideways 91 ippage of the bar
soap.
The Bar Soap Holder in a Drain Hole Anchorage Model, is held
and quided in position to the wall of the washroom sink by a
single wire which runs along the sink surface and connects to a
sleeve anchored to the drain openin~. The device is shaped from
stainless wire. It consists of three side rests and cradles. The
outside cradles each have a ~uarter circle that directs upward
and faces in the opposite direction to prevent the bar soap from
escaping the sides. The top end of the side rests, have a bent
portion parallel to the wall of the sink to allow a gap and to
support the device. The side rests have a 1/4 inch ~pace ~ap to
the sink wall to serve as air drying space. The advantage of the
Drain Hole Anchorage Model is that it can be installed to the
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left or riqht of the sink wall which would be beneficial to left
and right handed persons.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is the overflow model incorporated into the
overflow slot of the washroom sink shown in perspective view
embodying the present invention.
Figure 2 is the cross section of the washroom sink, with a
cutting plane taken along the overflow. This shows the detail
insertion of the present invention on the overflow opening.
Figure 3 is the wire shape conformation of the device taken
from a top view.
Figure 4 is a front view of the holding device illu trated
in Figure 3 and shows the shape formation from a different angle
view.
Figure 5 is a clear side view of the device.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device indicating the
overall conformational shape in conjunction to the orthographic
positions diagrammed in Figures 3, 4, and 5.
Figure 7 is the drain hole anchorage model positioned
against the wall of a sink and shows a perspective view embodying
the present invention.
Figure 8 is the anchor model showing the wire shape in a
profile view, depicting the bar soap and the anchor sleeve.
478U
Figure 9 is the exploded front view of the bar soap, the
wire bar soap holder, and the anchor sleeve.
Figure 10 is the relationship of the anchor sleeve to the
single wire "U" clip from a side profile position.
Figure 11 is an anchor sleeve in front view showinq the cut-
out and the vertical stem holder for the single wire U clip
attachment.
Figure 12 is the cross section of the anchor sleeve of
fi~ure 11 taken from cutting line A-A.
Figure 13 is the cross section of a sink, with a lengthwise
cutting plane facins the faucet to show the device positioning
against the wall of a sink and the running down off the single
wire to the sink surface leading to the anchor sleeve.
When referring to the drawings the reference number 10
generally designates the Bar Soap Sink Wall Holder device
embodying the present invention. The overflow attachment model
in Figure 1 is provided with a loop handle 2, havin~
substantially a pair of side rests 3 that are attached to a pair
of cradles 4 which are perpendicular to the sink wall and
parallel towards the centre of the sink. Immediately after the
pair of cradles are formedr upward integral quarter-circles 5 are
formed and face up into opposite directions.
Function and installation of the present invention can be
seen in Figure 2. Prior to installation, refer to the three
orthographic positions depicted in Figures 3, 4, and 5, and the
perspective view in Figure 6. The parts are designated by
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numbers and followed by alphabetical letters enclosed in
parenthesis. The se~ments or curved lines covered by two
alphabetical letters denotes the parts numbered. Loop handle 2
(a-a) appears on the top of the overflow slot for easy access
installation, or removal of the device from the overflow slot.
The appearance is better illustrated in Figures 4, 5, and 6.
Anchor clips 3 (a-b~ are best depicted in Fi~ures 5 and 6 and
si~nify the portion of the device that inserts into the overflow
slot. The wire is shaped into a smooth curve to produce a spring
action effect between the two inside surfaces of the overflow
tunnel in order to have the capability to hold the device in
place. Side rests 4 (b-c) is the part of the device illustratin~
the view from the overflow slot downward and adjacent to the sink
wall. The purpose of which is to function as a lean for the bar-
soap side, as best seen in Fi~ure 5. The spring action of theanchor clips 3 (a-b) allows the side rests 4 (b-c) to maintain a
~ap to the wall of the sink and it is at least 1/8 of an inch to
serve as air dryin~ space for the bar soap in stora~e. Cradles
5 (c-d) are the positions of the device made perpendicular to the
sink wall to support and carry the bar soap. Followin~ the
cradles, quarter-circles 6 (d-e) are formed with the wires
directed upward and slanted in opposite direction~. The purpose
of these quarter-circles are to hold the bar soap horizontal in
place on the cradles. The upward slant of these quarter-circles
2~ 6 (d-e) are best seen in Fi~ures 3 and 4. The ends of these
quarter-circles 6 (d-e) have a short strai~ht portion wire 7 (e-
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f~ bent downwards to catch and prevent the bar soap from slipping
off the sides.
Going back to Figure 2, the washroom sink 8 has been cross-
sectioned right throuqh the overflow tunnel 9 to demonstrate the
positioning of the present invention on the apron wall of the
sink. The anchor clips 3, as explained previously, has a spring
action wire shape. It is pushed into the overflow slot openin~ 11
using the loop handle device 2. These anchor clips 3 will act
upon the wall surface of the tunnel 9 and will hold the device in
place. As previously explained, the spring action of the anchor
clips 3 will give the side rest 4 a gap to the surface of the
sink which is important in the air drying of the bar soap 12. In
Figure 2 the bar soap leans a~ainst the inner portion of the side
rests. The bottom side is supported lengthwise by the cradles 5,
the outside surface is guarded by the quarter circles 6 and the
ends are ~uarded by short strai~ht wires 7. This is the slot
model of the present invention.
The second type of Bar Soap Sink Wall Holder i9 the drain
hole anchorage model. The appearance is shown in Figure 7. The
device is held in position a~ainst the left wall of the washroom
sink by a sin~le wire runnin~ along the sink surface and connects
to the anchor sleeve inserted in the drain hole. Figure 8 is the
wire construction of the device shown from a side profile in a
exploded view with the bar ~oap and the anchor sleeve. Same as
the slot model, the parts are numbered with a correspondin~
se~ment and curve presented in alphabetical letters. Wherein the
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device is supported from the sink wall by cross wire 13 (g-g)
having three in line angled branches 14 (g-h). These branches 14
(g-h) each have a connecting side rest 15 (h-i) adjacent to the
sink wall. The gap of these side rests a~ainst the surface of
the sink wall is determined by the length and the lie-an~le of
the branches 14 (q-h) to the wall of the sink which is usually
1/4 of an inch and at a 45 degree lie. Each side rest 15 (h-i~
has cradle 16 (i-j) with the exception of the middle, which is
sli~htly lower than the other two. The purpose of these cradles
16 (i-j) are to carry and support the weight of the bar soap. The
two outside cradles 16 ~i-j) have extended quarter circles 17 (j-
k! which incline upwards and end in opposite direction. The front
portion of these quarter-circles 17 (j-k) prevent the bar soap
from falling off the holder and the end portion prevents the bar
soap from escaping sideways off the cradles. The middle cradle
16 (i-j), instead of having a quarter-circle 17 (j-k) has a wire
loop 17 (j-l) bent back underneath towards the wall of the sink.
This wire loop 17 (j-l), before it reaches the sink wall, is bent
into a sin~le wire 18 (l- m) and will run alon~ the sink surface
towards the edge of the drain. Single wire 18 (l-m), not only
holds, quides, and supports the device in place but also props
the holder from the sink wall. Therefore, the bent point of wire
loop 18 ~l-m) prior to the formation of single wire 18 (l-m)~
should be at a point where side re~ts 15 (h-i) are 3/8 to the
surface of the sink wall. This gap is very important for air
dryin~ the bar soap in the device. The end of single wire 18 (1-
7 8 ~
m) at the drain side has a "U" clip 19 (m-n) to fasten itself to
the anchor sleeve in Figure 10. The anchor sleeve from a side
view in Fiaure 10 and from a front view in Fi~ure 11 has a "U"
clip receptacle 20 directly 180 degrees
opposite to the opening 21. Opening 21 can be mended to give the
anchor sleeve a variable diameter so it can be fitted snuglv
aqainst the inside wall of the drain hole. Figure 12 is the
cross-section of the anchor sleeve taken from section line A-A of
Figure 10 to show the "U" clip receptacle 20 and the opening 21.
Fi~ure 13 is the cross-section of a washroom sink, taken
midway and lengthwise facing the faucet, to show the installation
of the device. The "U" clip is inserted to the receptacle in the
anchor sleeve and aimed towards the wall of the sink where the
device is desired and then pressed into po~ition in the drain
hole. Sinqle wire 18 will automatically lay flat on the surface
of the sink due to given spring action. The device is supported
by the cross-wire 13 against the sink wall together with the loop
wire 17. The sink wall 8 and the side rests 15 have at least a
1/4 inch ~ap which allows air circulation for dryin~ the bar soap
2~ 12. The bar soap 12 leans on the inner face of the side rests 15.
The weight is supported by the cradles 16; the outside face is
quarded by the front portion of the quarter circle 17, and the
ends prevent slipping out of the cradles by the last portions of
the quarter- circle 17.
It will be noted that the pre~ent invention is simple and
inex~ensive made of 1/16 of an inch stainless wire. It can be
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fully removed from installation to clean the sink, as well as the
wire itself, from sticking soap re~idue.
It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that
various modifications and changes are possible with the Bar Soap
Sink Wall Holder construction and the operating system described
herein without departin~ from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, all ~uch modification and changes are
intended to be part of the this invention.
